The Half-blood crown

s. Fourteen days. Sera had no time for gowns or flowers or the en

e had a trai

the castle like a shadow, listening, watching, following every whisper. Kael helped. He h

was worse than

the city. Not a rogue. Not a commoner. Someone from inside

el said, laying a handful of coins on Sera

Xiayoa gleamed in the candlelig

ith access to

ho

council. But only one council member has the au

od ran col

-

morning. Alone. No guards. No witnesses. He came w

id. "To what do I

il table. She did not sit.

ut the coin

le faltered.

ogues. Royal coin. Freshly minted

ow, nervous sound. "You'r

u a question.

nk you can threaten me? You're nothing. A half-blood whore who

. She did not blink

abbed him by the throat, and slammed him against the wal

ed a feral. I have led an army. I have buried children your greed murdered

ce went red. His hand

You. D

tiny, despe

umpled to the floor, gas

she d

mother came. Before you were born. The council swore he would be king. Then Alaric

tried to

that failed, I hired more. To attack the capital. To force the council to choose a

Your father is dead.

e king!" he screamed

l, Aldric, and half the council. They found Sera standi

reason. Conspiracy. Murder

struggled, cursing, shoutin

ber. Sera looked at the

Chancell

a servant stepped forw

n his chambers an hour ago. He's dead. A v

h turned. "Wh

It said: 'The old blood

e. The traitor was gone. But the damage was done. The r

arius is imprisoned. The traitors are gone. But the rogues are

he edge of the room, watching her

are the city. Send word to the packs.

-

oon was growing-a fat crescent, silver and cold. Eleven

g for a long time. Just stood b

about Darius,"

't want

kno

"Eleven days. And t

es

you a

for a moment.

he moon. "Not of the rogues

ned to h

how to be a wife. I don't know how to share a thron

was warm. Steady. "You won'

moment-just a moment-she wanted to close the distance. To kiss

the watchtower. Thre

ed away.

he rogues-they're moving. They've crossed

hey're early. The blood m

ight," the guard said. "The

n was no longer silver.

tance, a howl rose. Then

r had